Hilton Gatwick and twilight check-in

[gems_smiling]

Does any one else always stay over night at the Hilton Gatwick and use the Virgin Atlantic twilight check-in? We do this every year and it makes our trip so much easier and we can relax the night before the 9hr hour flight. It also means you don't have to worry about long check-in lines and for us a 2 1/2 car journey in the early hours of the morning.

 

[Frances999]

Yes, we usually stay at the Hilton Gatwick. Lately we have been using online check-in rather than twilight, but twilight is still a great service for getting everything sorted out the day before and having less to worry about on the day of the flight.

 

[mary94]

Even though we live less than half an hour from Gatwick we still do the Hilton the night before (and twilight check in if travelling with Virgin)and I look forward to it.I just love sitting in the lobby bar with a drink watching people come and go.

 

[WoodFamily]

We to stay at the Hilton Gatwick and also do the twilight check in, for us it's the start of our holiday. We are also only 40 mins away but love the extra day to the holiday.

 

[PChef]

We stayed at the Hilton Gatwick last year (not on our way to Florida though!) We had to wait a while to park in front of the hotel (for unloading cases and checking in to hotel)before taking car to main car park. Attendant was irate cos some people had parked there and gone off to do Virgin Twilight check in!!!

There were no family rooms left (we had pre-booked one) so we were given 2 interconnecting Superior rooms! They were very nice, boys were overjoyed to have their own TV!!
Hotel restaurant good but very expensive. We found a staircase balcony to watch planes from, we were disappointed that Gatwick had no viewing area landside, and restaurant options quite limited. More choice airside though and a great view of the runways. (I'm not a plane spotter, but I have 2 small boys who like them!!)

Michelle

 

[Miffy2003]

We always do this. We live a good 3 and a half hours from Gatwick so to be quite honest it is much easier for us to do this

Nice relaxing start to the holiday too

 

[Miffy2003]

Even though we live less than half an hour from Gatwick we still do the Hilton the night before (and twilight check in if travelling with Virgin)and I look forward to it.I just love sitting in the lobby bar with a drink watching people come and go.

Mary94 - welcome to the Dis

Do you have a trip planned?

 

[Chris and Pooh]

We are about 50 mins from Gatwick but also use the Hilton every time.
We like the convenience of being able to stroll into the airport in the morning and no worries of traffic jams etc, but we do not use Virgin as a rule so I would be interested to know as we are flying out next week if there is much advantage to be had from the twilight check in, we like to have a change of clothes for the next day etc can anyone advice

 

[mary94]

Mary94 - welcome to the Dis

Do you have a trip planned?

Thanks for your welcome.Yes off to Port Orleans in 10days but only found this site today.

 

[Goof's Troop]

We live about 2 and half hours away, wouldn't do trip any other way now.

We usually twilight check in, haven't done online check in yet, may do this year, bit nervous of it, not sure of difference and benefit?

We go in 9 days time, and sooooooo excited now, I always find this period the worst, the last 2 weeks to get thru before you go away.

 

[CHRIS F]

We are going in October and will stay at the Hilton and use twilight check in, we stayed there last year when flying with Delta, although there was no early check in just walking to the check in desks in the morning made everything so easy, would not do it any other way.

Try and join Hilton Honours club [it is free] you get priority check in at the hotel and free drinks and nibble's in the Hilton executive lounge on the top floor. you are supposed to get an upgrade in rooms if available as well

 

[AnitaCB]

Try and join Hilton Honours club [it is free] you get priority check in at the hotel and free drinks and nibble's in the Hilton executive lounge on the top floor. you are supposed to get an upgrade in rooms if available as well

How do you do this and do you have to be a share holder?

Thanks.

 

[CHRIS F]

Anita


I was sent it free by BA Air miles, but you can join free from their web site
hiltonfamily.com and it is call Hilton H Honors

 

[zara]

Isn't the Hilton very expensive to stay in? Does anyone know where to get the cheapest price?

 

[CHRIS F]

I have always found the best deals with ABC Holiday extras, for us 1 family room in October and 15 nights parking the cost is £174.

Although some of the other hotels come up £30 / £40 cheaper once you add on costs of a taxi or shuttle bus to get to the airport that can cost up to £15 / £20 so although still maybe more than the other hotels [except Le Meridian] the advantage of just walking from your room to check-in on the morning of departure is priceless.

The other advantage for me is that my wife is scared of flying so being able to walk round the terminal the night before and eat or have a drink seems to make the actual departure day more relaxed as she is used to being at the airport [difficult to explain] for her also there is no hassle with taxis or shuttle busses in the morning for us it is worth the money.

 

[zara]

Is the Hilton the one that's right inside the terminal?

 

[CHRIS F]

Zara

Yes, the Hilton is on site at the airport, 3-5 minute walk along a covered walkway between hotel and airport. [south terminal], at the North Terminal it is Le Meridian or Sofitel hotel whatever it is called now

 

[AnitaCB]

Isn't the Hilton very expensive to stay in? Does anyone know where to get the cheapest price?

Hi.

We got 1 nights accommodation in a family room for 4 with 15 days parking for £160 from Superbreak.com. I thought that was really good and actually double checked with them over the phone to make sure it was right. When the paperwork came through it turned out that kids go free but I don't know if this is a long term offer. I'm looking forward to staying here though because it starts my holiday a day earlier and we're going to do the twilight check in.